Nanostart Invests in Microlight Sensors for New Developments in High-Tech Optical Systems

Published on December 14, 2010 at 1:07 AM

Nanostart AG (OTCQX: NASRY) is investing in Microlight Sensors Pte Ltd. Founded in 2006, the company develops, manufactures, and sells optical systems, instruments, and components for sensor technologies.

Microlight Sensors’ current products make it possible to capture extremely low-intensity light and radiation near the wavelength range of infrared and visible light. They are deployed in civil security and monitoring purposes, across all illumination conditions of the 24hrs cycle without sensor damage. The instruments deliver equivalent daylight performance during night operations at conditions of extreme low light.

The company, which is headquartered in Singapore, possesses comprehensive expertise in optical engineering and design. Very few companies in the world have comparable know-how and design capabilities. In addition to current product lines, the company is also developing an entirely new generation of scanning optical equipment for imagery and spatial regeneration. The roadmap includes ultrasensitive sensor products based on nanomaterial technology.

Microlight Sensors targets the domestic security market in the Asia-Pacific region, which in 2007 was estimated to represent nearly 21 percent of the global market. By 2014 the market is anticipated to increase by 8.5 percent to 40 billion US dollars. The rapid growth forecast can in part be explained by growing civil security requirements and the prevalence of antiquated systems to be replaced.

The Nanostart investment will be directed toward new product developments as well as financing expansion of the company’s business, in particular sales and marketing in Asia.

Andreas Kröll, managing director of Nanostart Asia, describes the new investment: "Microlight Sensors currently possesses cutting-edge technology in an expanding market that is still being developed. We see above-average growth opportunities, which is why we decided to make this investment."

And Victor Teo, founder and CEO of Microlight adds: "We are convinced that we have found the right partner with Nanostart. The company possesses enormous commercialization expertise as well as the ability to facilitate further growth of Microlight through its international network."

Microlight is the third investment financed by the Nanostart Singapore Early Stage Venture Fund. Venture capital funds will be made available in tranches. The Nanostart fund takes an initial stake of 19 percent. Following distribution of the final tranche, the Nanostart fund will own shareholdings of 31 percent in Microlight Sensors.